Nosocomial infections are posing an increasingly serious problem in the hospital setting. With the increasing use of ultrasound in medical diagnosis, there is the potential for transmission of nosocomial infections via the ultrasound transducer and coupling gel. We evaluated the use of different membranes (three types of commercially available household cling film, condom, surgical glove and Opsite) applied over the ultrasound probe to determine if these were safe, convenient, cost-effective and did not impair the performance parameters of the ultrasound probe. None of the membranes impaired the physical scanning parameters using a Multi-Purpose Tissue/Cyst Phantom. The cling film was ideal for general use in terms of cost and convenience as well as safety. For sterile use the Opsite was better overall compared to the surgical glove, though it costs significantly more. The condom and surgical glove, though safe, were not very convenient to use for scanning.
To evaluate the effects of simple compensated fixed-dose iodine-131 therapy for thyrotoxicosis, the long-term results for 74 patients treated with a fixed dose of iodine-131 ranging from 5 to 12 mCi (185 to 444 MBq) were evaluated in the first 2 years of a trial. The dose selected was loosely based on the gross size of the thyroid gland. Routine antithyroid drug therapy was given for a minimum of 3 months after iodine-131 therapy. The mean (+/- SD) duration of follow-up was 74.5 +/- 42 months. The results indicated that roughly 25% of patients treated in this way will become hypothyroid after 5 years and that 85% are cured (need no further therapy during the follow-up period) using a single dose of iodine-131. Of those cured using a single iodine-131 dose, 81% were no longer receiving drugs after 6 months and 85% after 1 year. Such a regimen seems currently to be among the best available where prolonged periods of medication-free euthyroidism after therapy are sought.